Today, the Australian Government introduced legislation to parliament to give children access to 3 days a week of subsidised early childhood education and care.
It's called the 3-day guarantee.
Should legislation pass, from next year families can get at least 72 subsidised hours of care each fortnight for each child. This is regardless of how much work, training, study or volunteering they do.
Families caring for First Nations children will get 100 hours of subsidised care each fortnight for each child.
This proposed change is part of the government’s pathway toward a universal early education and care system.
What is the 3-day guarantee?
The Australian Government makes child care cheaper through Child Care Subsidy (CCS).
How much CCS families can get depends on their circumstances, including:
- their combined family income
- hourly rate caps
- number of children in their care
- age of children in their care
- the amount of recognised activity they do.
Under the 3-day guarantee:
- all CCS eligible families will get 3 days’ subsidised care each week for each child
- families caring for First Nations children will get 100 hours of subsidised care each fortnight for each child.
Families will still get 100 hours of subsidised care each fortnight for each child if they:
- work, train, study or volunteer for more than 48 hours each fortnight, or
- have an exemption.
More information for families and child care providers will be developed over the coming months.